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Why trust this guide?
Our editorial team analyzed 253 nursing homes in IA using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in IA
Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the IA Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.
The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This TableAL (Assisted Living):
Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing.
NH (Nursing Home):
24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs.
SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility):
Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness.
MC (Memory Care):
Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia.
RC (Respite Care):
Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break.
IL (Independent Living):
Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care.
HOS (Hospice Care):
Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
PC (Palliative Care):
Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative treatment.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
A 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The Iowa average is: 60.3% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each nursing home is ranked against every other IA nursing home we track that reports that metric, not just the 253 on this page. See how we rank facilities
Thirty-four beds put Stacyville Community Nursing Home at the small end of the scale. For a resident who hates being handled by strangers, that makes more than any amenity list, because the roster of faces stays short enough to learn.
Around-the-clock licensed nursing means care does not pause because the sun has gone down. Someone needing ongoing clinical support gets in on the same terms as at any time of the day or night. Nursing time holds at 5 hours and 29 minutes daily, per resident.
Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay all work here. Medicare covers skilled care after a hospital stay, and Medicaid steps in when savings cannot stretch to cover a longer stay. Personal funds pay for whatever neither program is able to reach. Haley Lentz serves as administrator.
Accura HealthCare of Carlisle provides nursing home, hospice care, memory care, palliative care, respite care, and skilled nursing in Carlisle, IA. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care, while memory care offers supervision for someone who may be at risk of wandering. Hospice and palliative care focus on comfort for residents with serious or end of life needs. Respite care provides a short stay when a usual caregiver needs temporary support.
Rehabilitation services are available for residents who need therapy as part of recovery. The community has 80 beds, and its range of care services may make it a good fit for someone whose needs include memory support, comfort focused care, rehabilitation, or a temporary respite stay. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted. Total nurse staffing is 5 hours and 17 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nursing time allocated per resident. A Walk Score of 50 means the area is somewhat walkable, so some errands can be done on foot and a resident who no longer drives may be able to manage select nearby outings independently. Kaylyn Fisher serves as the administrator.
Overview of Granger Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
IV therapy, tracheotomy care, enteral nutrition, ostomy care, diabetic care, and pain management are all handled at Granger Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Arranging each of those separately is the alternative, and it falls to a family.
Antibiotics running for six weeks is a nursing task, not a household one. Somebody has to manage the line and keep the schedule, and a stay here absorbs that work.
Nursing rehabilitation and therapy services cover recovery and ongoing treatment. The center holds 67 beds, and nursing time lands at 3 hours and 41 minutes per resident each day.
Coverage runs through the night, which changes what a call bell means. Pulling a cord and having someone arrive is a different thing from dialing a number and waiting.
Respite works as a trial run for some families. A short stay tests whether a permanent move would suit the person, with a way back out.
Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay all apply here. Medicare pays for skilled care after a hospital admission rather than a permanent address, and Medicaid becomes the question once savings no longer stretch. Jason Dunlap serves as administrator.
Estherville Community Care Center provides five care types in Estherville, IA, and they are respite care, hospice care, nursing home care, palliative care, and skilled nursing.
Skilled nursing leaves no hour of the day without licensed nursing on duty. Hospice and palliative care both work toward comfort when illness is serious or will not be cured. Respite buys a family caregiver time to travel or rest, and it runs for only a set stretch of time. Therapy services are named, so recovery work is available to a resident who needs it.
Private and semi-private rooms are both on the list, one resident to a private room, and two sharing a semi-private one. Pets are allowed, which means a resident’s animal companion can move in with them.
Forty-six beds make this one of the smaller homes, which tend toward being quieter places to live and suitable for a resident who wants that. Nursing time per resident covers 3 hours and 44 minutes daily.
Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are each taken. The Medicare route runs to short skilled care after a hospital releases someone. Medicaid takes over when savings run out on a long stay. Private funds cover what a family has to.
The home fits somebody needing skilled nursing, therapy, comfort-focused care, or a family needing respite for a while.
Arbor Springs in West Des Moines, Iowa, is a highly regarded facility known for its exceptional care, particularly for individuals with dementia. It prides itself on fostering a positive and supportive environment. Situated in a residential area, this facility employs a Montessori approach to care, which has received praise from reviews. Arbor Springs offers a range of amenities, including a community center, therapy room, and a beauty salon, ensuring that residents have access to essential services.
The facility boasts inviting features like a home-like dining room, cozy interior spaces, and intimate common areas. Additionally, Arbor Springs has implemented innovative touches such as memory boxes outside individual rooms, aiding in the identification of residents’ spaces. The dedication to providing fresh air and well-landscaped surroundings contributes to the overall well-being of the residents. Arbor Springs offers a spectrum of care, encompassing memory care options, including private homes, and also provides services like long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, and respite care, catering to the diverse needs of its residents.
Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center is a nursing home in Des Moines offering skilled nursing and memory care. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Memory care offers a supervised setting for residents living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia who may be at risk of wandering. The combination may be a good fit for someone with dementia who also needs ongoing nursing oversight.
Opened in 1931, the center has 46 beds, with an 87% occupancy rate meaning most beds are occupied. Every room is private, so residents do not share their room. Short term rehabilitation supports a temporary stay focused on recovery, while respite care provides a short stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover.
Residents of all faiths can live at Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center. Medicare and Medicaid provide public payment routes, while private pay means the resident or family pays directly. Angela Meyer serves as administrator.
The center is in the East Village neighborhood, where a Walk Score of 91 falls in the walker’s paradise band. Daily errands do not require a car, and a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently.
Cedar Ridge Village, situated in the delightful West Des Moines, Iowa, provides a diverse range of senior living options, including independent living and assisted living including care for disabled adults. This community effortlessly combines elegance and comfort, with inviting spaces, high ceilings, and carefully chosen furnishings, ensuring an exceptional living experience for residents.
Residents here can engage in a variety of activities, from card games and book clubs to arts and crafts and movie nights. The community also organizes off site excursions, such as concerts, theater outings, museum visits, and more, enriching the lives of its residents. Their spacious apartments are thoughtfully designed to accommodate different care needs, offering tailored, top-tier services in a meticulously maintained environment. Count on Cedar Ridge Village for superior senior living options, whether you’re seeking assisted or independent living near you.
Opened in 1999, Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City, IA, offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. Along with support with daily tasks, residents receive ongoing clinical support from licensed nurses on-site. The community also provides specialized care for those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
With 52 beds, the community allows staff and residents to get to know each other. Residents also receive a total of 4 hours and 41 minutes of nursing care daily. Meanwhile, a Walk Score of 91 out of 100 places the area in the walker’s paradise band. This also suggests that daily errands do not require a car, so a resident who no longer drives can get out independently.
Rehabilitation services, spiritual life programming, and religious services are available for residents who need rehabilitation support or want to participate in spiritual activities. Payment options also include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families public and direct payment routes for eligible care.
Kennybrook Village offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, short term rehabilitation, and skilled nursing in Grimes, Iowa. Independent living provides a private living arrangement with community services and no daily care, while assisted living adds help with bathing, dressing, medication management, and other daily tasks. Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision. Skilled nursing offers licensed nursing care on site around the clock, and short term rehabilitation supports a temporary recovery stay.
The range of care can suit a resident whose needs may grow over time because moving to another care level does not require leaving the community. Kennybrook Village has 40 beds. That places it in the smaller community range, where staff and residents can get to know one another.
Starting monthly prices are $2,950 for independent living, $5,640 for assisted living, and $7,650 for memory care. The memory care rate reflects the secured setting and supervision that care requires. Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 48 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nursing time allocated per resident.
Residents can use the spa, courtyard, garden, and patio, while community transportation supports off site outings. On site rehabilitation services allow a resident to receive therapy without arranging transportation elsewhere, and a doctor is on staff. Pets are allowed, so a resident can bring a pet when moving into the community. Medicare and private pay are accepted; Medicare applies to short term skilled care after a hospital stay rather than long term residence. Spencer VanSickel serves as the administrator.
Hawkeye Care Center Dubuque in Asbury, Iowa, maintains a multi-level campus encompassing assisted living, memory care, palliative services, skilled nursing, and general nursing home care. Resident support in assisted living includes assistance with personal hygiene, dressing, and medication administration while preserving private living quarters. Secured memory care spaces support individuals experiencing memory loss, palliative care centers on comfort management, and temporary respite stays accommodate primary family caregivers taking time away.
Tracey Long oversees management at the 80-bed facility, where staffing logs indicate an average of 3 hours and 36 minutes of daily hands-on nursing care per resident. Campus amenities feature a dedicated physical, occupational, and speech therapy gym for on-site rehabilitation, alongside an outdoor courtyard, paved walking paths, an active social program, and a salon and spa.
Located in a neighborhood with a 52 walk score, the site allows residents to complete select errands nearby on foot. Payment arrangements cover Medicare for short-term post-hospital rehabilitation, Medicaid, and private pay.
Individuals reviewing long-term care plans or short-term therapy options can reach out to Hawkeye Care Center Dubuque to inquire about current vacancies, verify insurance coverage, or arrange a personal tour.
Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports. Rank badges compare each home against other nursing homes in the same state — never against assisted living, memory care, or independent living communities.
How we're paid:If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
Avg Overall CMS Rating:3.1/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in Iowa. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating:3.5/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Iowa. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating:2.9/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Iowa. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in Iowa
What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in Iowa?
Assisted living in Iowa is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.
Does Iowa Medicaid cover nursing home care?
Yes — Iowa Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.
What is nursing home care?
Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.
How many nursing homes are listed on this page?
This page features 253 nursing homes in Iowa. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.
How do I choose the right nursing home in Iowa?
Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Iowa, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.
What should I look for when visiting nursing homes in Iowa?
Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.
If you move into a community through us, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never changes your cost or which options we recommend. Learn more
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